ESL to launch world's first 24-hour eSports channel this spring

No longer will you have to watch other people play video games from the discomfort of your desk. Electronic Sports League (ESL) has announced the impending launch of esportsTV!, a 24/7 channel dedicated to broadcasting eSports content.

The channel will launch in May 2016, and will shine a spotlight on " broadcasts of all of ESL’s biggest events including ESL One, Intel Extreme Masters as well as Pro League competitions, and will enable partnerships with local linear and digital broadcasters and distributors and thus better cater to local audiences’ esports content needs," according to an announcement posted on ESL's website, ESLgaming.

ESL will broadcast major tournaments on its TV channel, as well as competitions hosted by parent company MTG. Already boasting a built-in audience of 100 million viewers, ESL believes esportsTV! will help bolster the ranks of eSports fans and viewers by the end of 2017.

The company has over 2,000 hours of content planned for the channel, which it believes will encourage partnerships with local distributors. "ESL and its parent company MTG are in talks with other TV distributors and platform operators to make the channel available around the world," the company said.

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.